U.S. patent application number 11/693861 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-02 for method and system for facilitating error free scan administration.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Neelam Sharma.
Application Number | 20080242944 11/693861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39768138 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080242944 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sharma; Neelam |
October 2, 2008 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING ERROR FREE SCAN
ADMINISTRATION
Abstract
A method and system for facilitating error free scan is
disclosed herein. The system for preventing wrong scan
administration to a patient comprises: an identifier associated
with a patient for identifying at least one patient parameter. The
patient parameter may be configured to indicate patient information
such as pregnancy or the presence of metallic implants. An
interrogator is provided for automatically interrogating the
identifier to obtain the at least one patient parameter during one
or more predefined stages when the patient is in proximity of a
scanner. A controller is operatively coupled to the interrogator
for generating a wrong scan signal based on the communicated
information.
Inventors: |
Sharma; Neelam; (Bangalore
Karnataka, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PETER VOGEL;GE HEALTHCARE
20225 WATER TOWER BLVD., MAIL STOP W492
BROOKFIELD
WI
53045
US
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
39768138 |
Appl. No.: |
11/693861 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 10/65 20180101;
G06K 7/10851 20130101; A61B 5/117 20130101; A61B 5/411 20130101;
G16H 40/20 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/300 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/00 20060101
A61B005/00 |
Claims
1. A system for preventing wrong scan administration to a patient,
comprising: (a) an identifier associated with a patient for
identifying at least one patient parameter; (b) an interrogator for
automatically interrogating the identifier to obtain the at least
one patient parameter when the patient is in proximity of a
scanner; and (c) a controller operatively coupled to the
interrogator, wherein the controller is configured to generate a
wrong scan signal based on the at least one patient parameter.
2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the identifier is configured to
identify a patient parameter indicative of whether the patient is
pregnant.
3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the identifier is configured to
identify a patient parameter indicative of whether the patient has
a metallic implant.
4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the identifier is an RFID
tag.
5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the identifier is selected from
a group consisting of a barcode, a magnetic strip, and a wireless
transponder.
6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the interrogator is associated
with a scanner.
7. A system as in claim 1, wherein the interrogator is associated
with a scanning room.
8. A system as in claim 4, wherein the interrogator is an RFID
reader.
9. A system as in claim 5, wherein the interrogator is selected
from a group consisting of a barcode reader, a magnetic strip
reader and a wireless receiver.
10. A system as in claim 1, wherein the interrogator is configured
to obtain the at least one patient parameter upon the patient
entering into a scanning room.
11. A system as in claim 1, wherein the interrogator is configured
to obtain the at least one patient parameter upon the patient being
positioned in a scanner.
12. A system as in claim 1, wherein the interrogator includes a
first interrogator and a second interrogator, the first
interrogator being associated with a scanning room and the second
interrogator being associated with a scanner.
13. A system as in claim 12, wherein the controller includes a
first controller and a second controller, the first controller
being associated with the first interrogator and the second
controller being associated with the second interrogator.
14. A system as in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured
to generate the wrong scan signal when the patient parameter
indicates the patient is pregnant.
15. A system as in claim 13, wherein the controller is configured
to generate the wrong scan signal when the patient parameter
indicates the patient has a metallic implant.
16. A system as in claim 1, wherein the wrong scan signal is a scan
inhibit signal for inhibiting a scan of the patient when applied to
a scanner.
17. A system as in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an
alarm device, wherein the alarm device is configured to generate an
operator-perceptible alarm in response to the wrong scan
signal.
18. A method of facilitating error free scanning of a patient,
comprising: (a) providing a patient with an identifier indicating a
condition of the patient; (b) automatically reading the condition
of the patient from the identifier when the patient moves into
proximity with a scanner; and (c) generating an error signal if the
condition of the patient is incompatible with a scan being taken
using the scanner.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing step comprises
providing a patient with an RFID tag and the automatically reading
step comprises automatically reading the condition of the patient
from the RFID tag.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the condition indicates the
patient is pregnant, and the error signal is generated if the
scanner produces X-rays.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein the condition indicates the
patient has a metallic implant, and the error signal is generated
if the scanner is a magnetic resonance imaging scanner.
22. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of
providing an alarm to an operator of the scanner in response to the
error signal.
23. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of applying
the error signal to the scanner to inhibit the scanner from
scanning the patient.
24. A method of facilitating error free scanning to a patient,
comprising: (a) providing a patient with an identifier indicating
at least one of patient information about pregnancy or metallic
implants; (b) triggering a first alarm signal, the first alarm
signal being generated by a controller associated with a scanning
room; and (c) triggering a second alarm signal, the second alarm
signal being generated by a controller associated with the scanner;
wherein the first and second alarm signals are generated upon
detection of a pregnant patient or a patient with a metallic
implant.
25. A method as in claim 24, wherein the step of triggering a first
alarm signal comprises: reading the identifier by an interrogator
associated with the scanning room and generating the first alarm
signal based on the read information.
26. A method as in claim 24, wherein the step of triggering a first
alarm signal comprises: reading the identifier by an interrogator
associated with the scanning room and generating the first alarm
signal based on the read information and the nature of the scanning
room.
27. A method as in claim 24, wherein the step of triggering a
second alarm signal comprises: reading the identifier by an
interrogator associated with the scanner and generating the alarm
signal based on the read information.
28. A method as in claim 24, wherein the step of triggering a
second alarm signal comprises: reading the identifier by an
interrogator associated with the scanner and generating the alarm
signal based on the read information and the nature of the
scanner.
29. A method as in claim 24, wherein the step of triggering a first
alarm signal further comprises: controlling admission of a pregnant
patient to an X-ray scanning room and a patient with metallic
implants to an MR scanning room.
30. A method as in claim 24, wherein the step of triggering a
second alarm signal further includes controlling the operation of a
scanner upon positioning a pregnant patient in proximity to an
X-ray scanner and positioning a patient with metallic implants in
proximity to an MR scanner.
31. A method of preventing wrong scan administration to a patient,
comprising the steps of: (a) acquiring patient information about
pregnancy and metallic implants; (b) assigning a patient parameter
corresponding to the acquired patient information; the patient
parameter being configured to indicate at least one of patient
information about pregnancy or metallic implants; (c) providing an
identifier to the patient, the identifier being associated with a
patient parameter; (d) interrogating the identifier at a plurality
of pre defined stages; and (e) controlling scan administration to
the patient based on the interrogated information.
32. A method as in claim 31, wherein the step of acquiring patient
information comprises: obtaining information from the patient,
fetching the information a server, or obtaining the information
from prior records or a memory device.
33. A method as in claim 31, wherein the step of controlling
further comprises: controlling admission of a patient with a
metallic implant in an MR scanning room and admission of a pregnant
patient in an X-ray, CT scanning room.
34. A method as in claim 31, wherein the step of controlling
further comprises: controlling operation of an MR scanner when the
patient is detected with a metallic implant and an X-ray scanner
when the patient is pregnant.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to automated workflows in
hospitals or other healthcare environments, and more particularly
relates to a method and system for facilitating an error free scan
administration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Medical errors cause huge money and time losses and may
damage a patient's health. Some of the examples of medical errors
are scanning a pregnant patient using an X-ray scanner or any other
scanning device using X-ray radiations and/or injection of a
radioactive substance into the patient before scanning (e.g., as in
Positron Emission Tomography). X-ray radiations in case of pregnant
women can cause a hazard to the unborn child. Similarly scanning of
a patient having metallic implants using a Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI) scanner may be hazardous to the patients due to the
influence of a strong magnetic field generated by the scanner on
the metallic implants.
[0003] The cause of a large number of medical errors can generally
be attributed to a manual or partially automated process employed
in a medical facility or hospital for loading a medical information
concerning a patient and checking the same before performing each
medical procedure. Considering an existing workflow in a hospital,
loading of the medical information is often a manual process. One
of the methods for an operator who performs the scanning is to get
medical information about the patient by asking the patient about
his medical information or by fetching a medical record
corresponding to the patient that may be entered manually by a
person while the patient is admitted in the hospital, or may be
stored as part of the patient's medical record.
[0004] The primary limitation in the conventional process involved
in procuring and loading the medical information, is a possible
occurrence of a medical error. For example, the medical error can
involve a wrong entry of medical information such as a pregnant
patient as "not pregnant". It is also possible to have a medical
error while manually interpreting the medical information. The
operator may wrongly interpret the information provided by the
medical information record or patient, for example, even though the
medical information indicates the patient as "pregnant", the
operator may by mistake interpret the same as "not pregnant".
[0005] Another limitation in using the conventional process is the
selection of the patient or a mix up of the medical information of
one patient with the medical information of another patient. The
wrong selection of the patient can lead to a wrong scanning
procedure being administered on the patient. For example if medical
information about a patient having metallic implants is mixed with
the medical information of a patient who does not have any metallic
implants, wrong scanning procedure may be prescribed for the
patient.
[0006] Thus there exists a need to provide a system and method for
preventing a wrong scan administration to a pregnant women, a
patient with metallic implants, or a patient with another type of
medical condition that is incompatible with a scan being taken. A
workflow should be provided to facilitate an error free scanning to
patients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems
are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and
understanding the following specification.
[0008] The present invention provides a system for preventing wrong
scan administration to a patient. The system comprises: (a) an
identifier associated with a patient for identifying at least one
patient parameter; (b) an interrogator for automatically
interrogating the identifier to obtain the at least one patient
parameter when the patient is in proximity of a scanner; and (c) a
controller operatively coupled to the interrogator, wherein the
controller is configured to generate a wrong scan signal based on
the at least one patient parameter. In another embodiment, a method
of facilitating error free scanning of a patient includes: (a)
providing a patient with an identifier indicating a condition of
the patient; (b) automatically reading the condition of the patient
from the identifier when the patient moves into proximity with a
scanner; and (c) generating an error signal if the condition of the
patient is incompatible with a scan being taken using the
scanner.
[0009] In another embodiment, a method of facilitating error free
scanning to a patient is disclosed. The method comprises: (a)
providing a patient with an identifier indicating at least one of
patient information about pregnancy or metallic implants; (b)
triggering a first alarm signal, the first alarm signal being
generated by a controller associated with a scanning room; and (c)
triggering a second alarm signal, the second alarm signal being
generated by a controller associated with the scanner. The first
and second alarm signals are generated upon detection of a pregnant
patient or a patient with a metallic implant.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, a method of preventing wrong scan
administration to a patient is described. The method comprising the
steps of: (a) acquiring patient information about pregnancy and
metallic implants; (b) assigning a patient parameter corresponding
to the acquired patient information; the patient parameter being
configured to indicate at least one of patient information about
pregnancy or metallic implants; (c) providing an identifier to the
patient, the identifier being associated with a patient parameter;
(d) interrogating the identifier at a plurality of pre defined
stages; and (e) controlling scan administration to the patient
based on the interrogated information.
[0011] Various other features, objects, and advantages of the
invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from
the accompanying drawings and detailed description thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for preventing
wrong scan administration to a patient as described in an
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of facilitating
error free scanning as described in an embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of facilitating
error free scanning as described in an embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is flow chart illustrating exemplary steps of a
method of preventing wrong scan administration to the patient as
described in an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 5A is a workflow illustrating a patient entry to a
hospital in implementing error free scanning as described in an
embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 5B is a workflow illustrating patient entry to a
scanning room in implementing error free scanning as described in
an embodiment of the invention; and
[0018] FIG. 5C is a workflow illustrating a patient scanning in
implementing error free scanning as described in an embodiment of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken as limiting the
scope of the invention.
[0020] In various embodiments, a method and system for facilitating
error free scanning is provided. The concept is explained in
reference to medical imaging field. However it shall be noted that,
the application of the concept of the invention need not be limited
to this. Rather it shall be extended to variety of application,
where some checking measures need to be taken, before performing an
operation. The applications may include mechanical, electrical
applications as well, wherein some precautionary measures to be
taken before proceeding with different steps.
[0021] In various embodiments, a method and system for preventing
wrong scan administration to a patient is provided. The system
includes an identifier associated with the patient for identifying
at least one patient parameter or condition of the patient, such as
whether the patient is pregnant, has a metallic implant that would
be affected by the magnetic field produced by an MRI scanner, or
has some other medical condition that would be incompatible with a
particular type of scanning procedure. The system also includes an
interrogator for automatically interrogating the identifier to
obtain the patient parameter or condition when the patient is in
proximity of the scanner, such as when the patient walks or is
otherwise moved into a scanning room or when the patient walks or
is otherwise moved into proximity with a scanner. The system
further includes a controller coupled to the interrogator which is
configured to generate a wrong scan signal based on the condition
of the patient. In one embodiment, the wrong scan signal is used to
activate an audible or visible alarm to the operator of the scanner
to notify the operator that the patient has a condition that is
incompatible with being scanned by the scanner, thereby giving the
operator an opportunity to cancel the scan, or conduct the scan in
such a way as to be compatible with the condition of the patient.
In another embodiment, the wrong scan signal is provided to the
scanner itself to inhibit or disable the scanner from conducting
the scan. In certain embodiments, the method includes providing an
identifier for identifying a pregnant patient and a patient with
metallic implants and controlling the administration of scanning
using the information conveyed by the identifier to prevent harm to
the patient due to his or her condition. The application of the
invention need not be limited to pregnant patients or patients with
metallic implants, further it could be extended different
situations such as a patient who undergoes a PET scan and is
allergic to some kinds of dyes which need to be injected before
performing the scanning operation.
[0022] In an embodiment, the invention uses a plurality of
identifiers like RFID tag, barcodes, magnetic strips, wireless
devices such as Bluetooth, Infrared, etc, but need not be limited
to these and the patient is checked for their status corresponding
to pregnancy, metallic implants or any other condition that could
affect scanning at different stages such as before entering into a
scanning room, before initializing the scanning operation.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for facilitating
error free scanning administration as described in an embodiment of
the invention. The system 100 includes an identifier 110, an
interrogator 120 and a controller 130. The identifier 110 is
provided in association with a patient, such as by being attached
to the patient by a wrist-strap as in FIG. 1, or by otherwise being
coupled to the patient. In one embodiment particularly suitable to
a patient having a metallic implant, the identifier 110 is embedded
into the body of the patient, such as in a subcutaneous device
inserted under the skin of the patient and capable of communicating
through the skin. Thus, the identifier 110 may be associated with
the patient by being coupled thereto either externally or
internally. The identifier 110 identifies at least one condition or
parameter of the patient, as shown by reference numeral 112. In one
embodiment, the patient parameter 112 is configured to indicate at
least one of patient information about pregnancy or the presence of
a metallic implant. The patient parameter 112 could be determined
based on the patient status that includes patient information about
pregnancy or metallic implants and also based on the additional
information such as nature of scanner or scanning room etc and the
medical procedure that the patient is intending to undergo. The
patient information could be obtained from the patient or could be
achieved from prior records stored in any memory device or in the
hospital's computer system. For example, a patient parameter 112 is
assigned to a patient when the patent is detected as being pregnant
or is detected as having a metallic implant. The patient parameter
112 is indicated through the identifier 110.
[0024] The identifier 110 is associated with the patient for
indicating the patient parameter 112. The identifier could be a bar
code strip, an RFID tag, a magnetic strip or any wireless
transponder such an Infrared or Bluetooth device, but need not be
limited to these examples. The identifier could be provided on the
patient in the form of a label, tag or string that could be
attached to or hung from the body. However the identifier could be
located in proximity to the patient as well. For example the
wireless device or transponder need not be provided on the patient,
but could be provided in proximity to the patient such as being
coupled to a patient table supporting the patient. The embodiment
illustrated shows the identifier provided on the wrist of a
patient, but it could be provided on any convenient part of the
body or in proximity to the patient. The identifier 110 is provided
to the patient upon entering the patient into the hospital or when
the patient is scheduled for scanning. Before assigning the patient
parameter 112 and the identifier 110 a plurality of patient
information is acquired. In one embodiment, the patient information
includes patient status information indicative of whether the
patient is pregnant or the patient has metallic implants. This
information may be recorded by an operator. If the patient is
scheduled for scanning and is detected as pregnant or has metallic
implants, he or she is provided with an identifier. The identifier
110 will carry information about the patient status indicating
whether the patient is pregnant or has metallic implants. In an
embodiment the identifier 110 may include additional information
such as information about the scanning room, nature of scanner,
etc. Also the identifier 110 may be configured to carry patient
identification information that could be used for tracking the
patient in a medical facility or may be used for scheduling
different medical procedures. In an embodiment an RFID tag is used
as an identifier as it will automatically emits signals so that the
identifier will be read automatically without any human
intervention.
[0025] The interrogator 120 is provided for interrogating the
identifier 110 to obtain the patient parameter 112 or patient
condition information. The interrogator 120 is automatically
configured to interrogate the identifier 110 to obtain the patient
parameter 112 when the patient is in proximity of the scanner. The
proximity of the scanner may include patient entering a scanning
room or positioning patient for a scan in the scanner. The
interrogator 120 may be selected from an RFID reader, bar code
reader, a magnetic strip reader or a wireless receiver. The
interrogator 120 may be based on the corresponding identifier
associated with the patient. The interrogator 120 is configured to
obtain at least one patient parameter upon entering the patient to
a scanning room. The interrogator 120 is further configured to
obtain at least one patient parameter patient being positioned in a
scanner. The interrogator 120 can be directly or indirectly
associated with the scanner or scanning room. But it should be not
be limited so and as per the requirement the interrogator may be
located wherever there is a need to check the patient status.
[0026] In an embodiment at least two interrogators are provided.
One interrogator is provided at the scanning room. As soon as the
patient enters the scanning room the interrogator reads the
information and generates control signals or alarms based on the
read information. The first interrogator may be provided at the
entrance of the scanning room so that the entry of the patient to
the scanning room is restricted based on the information conveyed
by the identifier. A second interrogator may be provided at the
scanner. The second interrogator may be configured to control the
operation of the scanner directly, or to generate an alarm or
message to the operator using the scanner.
[0027] The interrogated or read information may be communicated to
a corresponding controller 130. Generally a controller 130 is
provided corresponding to each interrogator, but there could be an
integrated single controller to generate control signals based on
the information obtained from the interrogators. In an example two
controllers are provided, the first controller is associated with
the first interrogator and the second controller is associated with
the second interrogator. The controller is configured to generate a
wrong scan signal when the patient parameter indicates that the
patient is pregnant and/or when the patient parameter indicates
that the patient has metallic implants. The wrong scan signal could
act as an inhibit signal for inhibiting the scan of patient when
applied to the scanner. The controller 130 can be any processor
that will be capable of generating a control signal based on the
information conveyed to the controller. The controller 130 may be
provided with a memory (not shown). The memory can have the details
of the scanning room and details of the scanner. For example the
controller 130 may be fed with an information that the scanner is
an MR scanner, when a patient is positioned for scanning, the
identifier 110 is read and based on the read information and the
information saved in the controller 130, the controller 130 will be
able to generates more accurate result. Also this will give the
flexibility of using the same or similar identifiers for
identifying the pregnant patients, as well patients with metallic
implants or another condition that effects the suitability of
performing different types of scanning. For example, the same RFID
frequency may be used to identify the pregnant patients and
patients with metallic implants. In this event the identifier is
further provided with information about the medical object and that
can be compared with the corresponding information available with
the controller 130. Once the RFID tag is read, the controller 130
will get the information that the patient is pregnant, or the
patient has metallic implants or another condition that effect the
suitability of performing scans. The controller 130 is further
provided with the information about the nature of scanning room or
scanner. Based on the nature of scanner and the read information,
which includes patient information as well as the additional
information such as information about the nature of scanning room
or scanner, the controller 130 generates controlling signals. In
some embodiment the interrogator 120 may be provided with an
integrated controller or the controller may be provided with an
integrated interrogator so that detecting the identifier and
controlling the system may be performed by a single unit.
[0028] As mentioned earlier, the second interrogator is provided
with a scanner. Once the patient is positioned on the scanner or
positioned in front of a detector, the second interrogator reads
the identifier. A second controller is associated with a scanner
for receiving the identified information and controlling the
operation of the scanner. The controller may generate a signal to
control the initialization of the scanning operation. This could be
achieved by providing a checking before initializing the scanning
operation by the scanner to determine whether any control signal is
received by the scanner. Alternately the control signal may be used
to control the X-ray source or detector or MR field generator so
that the scanning operation is not performed. In an embodiment the
system 100 may be configured to control or restrict the operation
of the scanner. In some embodiments, this restriction automatically
inhibits the scanner from performing the scan. In other
embodiments, this restriction alerts the operator to the potential
problem and thereafter relies on further commands from the operator
to determine its operation.
[0029] In an embodiment the system is further provided with an
alarm device 140. The alarm device 140 is operably coupled to the
controller and is configured to generate an alarm signal based on
the wrong scan signal generated by the controller 130. There could
be different alarm devices that could be associated with each
controller. For example, the alarm-could be generated at the
scanning room level or at the scanner level. The alarm can be in
any operator-perceptible form such as an audio or visual
signal.
[0030] In an embodiment the system 100 is configured to control the
entry of a patient to a scanning room. Each scanning room is
provided with an interrogator. The nature of the interrogator may
depend on the nature of the identifier provided to the patient.
Before the patient enters into the scanning room, the interrogator
reads the identifier and if it does not identify any hazardous
signal then the patient is allowed to enter into the scanning room.
The hazardous signal indicates whether the scanning procedure is
harmful to the patient. The patient may be prevented from entering
into the scanning room upon identification of a hazardous signal
either automatically by, for example, controlling an
electro-magnetic lock, or manually by an operator.
[0031] For convenience, the following paragraphs describe an
exemplary system that is designed to prevent an X-ray examination
of a pregnant woman to prevent harmful X-ray exposure to the fetus,
or to prevent an MRI examination of a patient having a metallic
implant. However, it should be understand that pregnancy or the
presence of metallic implants are just two potential patient
parameters or conditions that could cause a wrong scan to be
administered to the patient, and the invention is not limited to
either or both of these conditions. Rather, the present invention
extends to preventing the wrong scan administration due to other
patient parameters, such as, for example, the prevention of PET
scans to patients who are allergic to particular types of contrast
agents, or to the prevention of X-ray scans to patients who have
already received prior X-ray exams and should not undergo further
X-ray scans unless necessary, in order to limit their exposure.
[0032] FIG. 2 is flow chart illustrating a method 200 of
facilitating error free scanning as described in an embodiment of
the invention. At step 210, the patient is provided with an
identifier indicating a condition of the patient. The various
conditions may include the patient status about pregnancy or
information about metallic implants provided on the patient or any
other relevant information. In an example if the patient is
pregnant she may be provided with an RFID tag and if the patient
has a metallic implant he or she may be provided with an identifier
configured to indicate the same. At step 220, the identifier is
read when the patient moves into proximity with a scanner. The
identifier is read to identify the condition of the patient. The
proximity of the scanner may include events such as patient
entering into the scanning room or positing the patient for
scanning or any other similar instances wherein scanning of a
patient could be hazards to the patients. At step 230, an error
signal is generated if the condition of the patient is incompatible
with a scan being taken using the scanner. Error signal may be
generated in different situations such as the patient is pregnant
and if the scanner produces X-rays. Similarly an error signal could
be generated if the patient has a metallic implant and the scanner
is a magnetic resonance scanner. The error signal may be further
used to generate an alarm signal to an operator of the scanner.
Also the error signal may be applied to the scanner for inhibiting
the scanner from scanning the patient.
[0033] FIG. 3 is flow chart illustrating a method 300 of
facilitating error free scanning as described in an embodiment of
the invention. At step 310, the patient is provided with an
identifier. The identifier may be associated with the patient by
being coupled thereto either externally or internally. The
identifier identifies at least one condition or parameter of the
patient such as whether the patient is pregnant or the patient has
metallic implants. The identifier may be assigned to the patient
while entering into the hospital or when the patient is scheduled
for scanning. In another embodiment, as in the case of a patient
having metallic implants, the patient is provided with the
identifier at an earlier time, such as when the implants were made.
At step 320, a first alarm signal is generated when a pregnant
patient enters into an X-ray scanning room or a patient with
metallic implants enters into an MR scanning room. The alarm signal
may be generated based on the information read from the identifier
and/or based on additional information such as nature of the
scanning room. The first alarm signal is generated at the scanning
room level. This could be used to control the admission of a
patient in different scanning rooms based on the patient status or
patient condition. At step 330, a second alarm signal is generated
at the scanner level if a pregnant patient is detected on or placed
for an X-ray scanning and a patient with metallic implants is
positioned for an MR scanning. The alarm signal may be generated
based on the information read from the identifier and/or based on
additional information such as nature of the scanner. This may be
used to control the operation of the scanner and/or to alert the
operator to a potential problem. The various steps involved in the
method are explained in reference to FIG. 4
[0034] FIG. 4 is flow chart illustrating exemplary steps of a
method of preventing wrong scan administration to the patient as
described in an embodiment of the invention. At step 410, a
plurality of patient information is acquired. The patient
information includes patient status regarding pregnancy and
metallic implants. The patient information may also include the
patient identification information or additional information such a
nature of scanner or scanning room or any other relevant
information. The patient information may be acquired from patient,
server or from any memory device. At step 420, a patient parameter
is assigned to patients based on the patient information. The
patient parameter is configured to indicate at least one of patient
information about pregnancy or metallic implants. At step 430, an
identifier is provided with the patient. The identifier is
configured to indicate the patient parameter. At step 440, the
identifier is interrogated at a plurality of pre-defined stages.
Some examples include patient entering into the scanning room or
positioning the patient for scanning. The interrogator reads the
identifier and communicates the same to a controller. The
interrogator may also interpret the information and generate a
control signal. At step 450, the scan administration is controlled
by the control signal. The control signal may control the
initialization of the scanner. The controlling operation is
performed such that no pregnant patient is allowed in an X-ray
scanning room/positioned for an X-ray scanning and no patient with
metallic implants is allowed inside an MR scanning room/positioned
for an MR scanning.
[0035] FIG. 5A is a workflow illustrating a patient entry to a
hospital in implementing the error free scanning as described in an
embodiment of the invention. At step 510 the patient enters into a
hospital. The process of facilitating error free scanning is
initiated as and when the patient enters into the hospital.
Alternately the workflow may start from a medical procedure wherein
the patient is scheduled for scanning. At step 512 a plurality of
patient information is acquired. The patient information will
include patient status about pregnancy and metallic implants. The
operator may ask the patient and record this information or the
system or operator may fetch this information from a server or a
memory device. Other than the information about pregnancy and
metallic implants, several other information may also be acquired
and stored. For example patient identification information, medical
procedures the patient is planning to undergo etc may be of
relevance to the context. At step 514 the system checks whether the
patient is pregnant and at step 516 the system checks whether the
patient has metallic implants. The steps 514 and 516 can be
performed in any order or, in other embodiments, only one of steps
514 and 516 may be performed. Once the patient is detected as
pregnant, she may be checked for metallic implants, so that she
should not be allowed to both X-ray as well as MR scanning room. If
the patient is identified with metallic implants and she needs to
be checked whether she is pregnant. At step 518, the patient is
detected with metallic implants, or detected as pregnant or both
are assigned with an identifier. The patient detected as pregnant
or detected with metallic implants may be provided with same kind
of identifiers. For example, both may be provided with RFID tags of
same frequency. In that event, the identifier should be stored with
additional information about the nature of scanner and a scanning
room etc. The identifier may also be stored with patient
identification information which could be used in tracking the
patient in the hospital and for scheduling the patient for various
medical procedures. If the patient is detected as not pregnant and
does not have any metallic implants the patient is not assigned
with any identifier and the workflow is ended as shown in step
520.
[0036] FIG. 5B is a workflow illustrating patient entry to a
scanning room in implementing the error free scanning as described
in an embodiment of the invention. At step 530, the patient enters
into a scanning room. The patient is provided with an identifier
indicating the status of the patient. For example whether the
patient is pregnant or the patient has metallic implants. At step
532, an interrogator provided at the scanning room senses or reads
the identifier. For example if the identifier is an RFID tag, the
tag will be emitting signals and the corresponding interrogator, an
RFID reader, will automatically sense the emitted signal. At step
534 the system checks whether any hazardous signal being generated.
Any signal generated by the interrogator based on the identifier is
referred as hazardous signal as they could be hazardous to the
pregnant patients or patients with metallic implants. At step 536,
if any hazardous signal is sensed, the system will generate an
alarm signal to alert the operator and the patient is moved out of
the scanning room quickly. If no hazardous signals are sensed the
patient is allowed to proceed for the scanning as shown in step
538.
[0037] FIG. 5C is a workflow illustrating patient scanning in
implementing the error free scanning as described in an embodiment
of the invention. At step 550, the patient is placed on a patient
table or in front of the detector for scanning. At step 552, the
identifier provided with the patient indicates the patient status.
For example, in case of a patient wearing an RFID tag emits a
signal continuously. At step 554, an interrogator provided in
association with the scanner reads the identifier. For example, the
interrogator senses the signal emitted by the RFID tag. At step
556, the scanner checks whether any hazardous signal is being
detected. The hazardous signal may correspond to an indication that
the patient who is ready to undergo scanning is pregnant or has
metallic implants. If no hazardous signal is detected, the patient
is allowed to proceed with the scanning as shown at step 558. If
the system detects any hazardous signal, then at step 560, a
control signal being generated by a controller associated with the
scanner. At step 562, the control signal is configured to control
the initialization of the scanner. For example in case of an X-ray
scanner the control signal may disable the X-ray source or
detector. In case of MR scanner, the control signal may be used to
control the magnetic field generator. Alternatively, the control
signal may be used to activate an alarm to notify the operator of a
potential hazard, and the operator then decides how or whether to
proceed.
[0038] Some of the advantages of the invention include providing an
improved patient safety mechanism while the patient undergoes
scanning. The invention automatically facilities error free scan
administration by using an RFID associated with the patient.
However other identifiers could be used to identify the patients
with minimal manual intervention. This will enable the hospital
authorities to delegate certain works to non-trained staff. This
will avoid hazard to a fetus while scanning. The invention will
reduce or avoid the manual errors that could occur while
administering a scanning.
[0039] The above-description of the embodiments of the system 100
and the method 200 and 300 has the technical effect of facilitating
an error free scan administration. This will allow the scanning
workflow in a medical environment to be automatically controlled to
minimize human interventions and the medical errors caused by
operators.
[0040] Thus various embodiments of the invention describe a system
and method for facilitating an error free scan administration. Also
in an embodiment a method of performing a scanning using the
concept of error free handling is disclosed.
[0041] In another embodiment, the invention is used to prevent
wrong scan administration for people passing through a security
checkpoint. For example, the identifier may include a tag or label
coupled to a person passing through a security checkpoint at an
airport, and the identifier indicates the person has a pacemaker.
The checkpoint includes a metal, explosive, radioactive or other
detector that emits a signal or field that may be hazardous to the
passenger due to his pacemaker. The detector includes an
interrogator that automatically interrogates the identifier to
obtain information about the passenger's condition (i.e., having a
pacemaker). A controller uses the information about the pacemaker
to activate an alarm to the security personnel indicating that the
passenger should be processed without going through the detector,
or to activate a gate to prevent the passenger from walking into
the detector, or to inhibit the operation of the detector. The
passenger is thereby protected from the potential hazard to his
health.
[0042] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made
to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the
invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be
exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the invention as
set forth in the following claims.
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